Woolly worm predicts snowy winter in western NC

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Woolly worm predicts snowy winter in western NC

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A woolly worm named Lickety Split is warning residents of western North Carolina to get ready to bundle up.

The worm was the survivor in a day of races at the 35th annual Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk Saturday.

The caterpillars have black and brown bands, with one color sometimes dominating the other. Folklore says black is associated with snowy weather, while brown is an indicator of mild conditions.

The bands on Lickety Split called for snow and below average temperatures for the first five weeks of winter. The next six weeks will be average to below normal with more snow predicted for the final week.

According to the National Weather Service, October will be cooler than normal, but November and December will be slightly warmer than normal.